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Crossing my fingers , but I think DC is trying to step up this class , to hopefully make it a real series. Even if it's just an East / West thing would be great.
I can make comparisons too. Ricky Carmichael, who is/was arguably the best ever, raced 85’s until he aged out and didn’t turn pro until he was 17, to which he then began racing in the 125 class.
The Shop
If he is fast , that's fine, but is he fast because he is the oldest and biggest in his class?
I don't know the answer.
It just shows the disparity from each side of the pond.. Tim Gajser is a double world champion and he is younger than Shane McElrath.
And like you say RC went pro at 17.. Vohland is 17 is 3 weeks.
DC's mission to get a 125 series going is awesome, it needs to recognize the guys that win it .
Just seen a video for Matterley basin, track looks prime after some horrific weather over here , its a week away and I cant wait
As to Max - it's his life / his families approach to racing. Things will be different, from others experience, approach, plans and, circumstances.
The Vohlands racing for their boy, Max, appears to be less 'hothouse' than others, and, if so, I think that's a good thing. This "training facility and doing just the few big US Mini races" , to me, seems truly bizarre, as it seemingly does, to you. But, it has / may have worked for a (very) few.
He's got a year of EMX125 - if he's actually doing the full series - and that might have been his families plan all along - just that year. There's also a lot of other 125 racing in Europe, as you would well know, and , much of it, is pretty 'high end' racing, too. I wonder if he / they have 250F plans in say, the ADAC series, or others? It's an approach used by a fair few other riders and teams
The Vohlands would know a fair bit ( well, an effing Lot, I would assume) about the Euro racing scene, have a lot of contacts, and that should be a great assistance to the young bloke.
But, he's stepping into a very, Very competitive area of racing, with a shedload of very, Very fast and talented 'hopefuls'. I've yet to see the entry numbers for the first round, but, it will be a Lot.
I wish him / his family, luck.
PS :
I hope DC truly does have a 'mission' to upgrade the 125 'all stars' racing, to a real racing series, or, more afford-ably / logically, an East / West set up.
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Do you think Kawi, Honda and Suz would be on board for forming 125 A and B classes? They have way too much influence over the sanctioning bodies in the US...
It shows how different things are now, I remember Lechien as a 16 year old on a 250 , guys came up when they were fast enough.
Totally the opposite now , they seem to milk the lower classes but I don't see to what end.
I still struggle with the fact that Adam Ciancirulo and Tim Gajser are the same age within a month. Obviously AC had 2 seasons out , but it puts it in perspective a bit.
I say he makes it easy. If he doesn't , Vital will implode. He should win or be close, oldest in class, and the big hitters are in EMX250 now
Pit Row
At Hawkstone I never saw any rider go wide and square off to go across the ruts in the corners rather than through them.
Some people will not like this, but one other reason that I think some top Americans have gone pro a little later is because of the "S" word. Supercross. It takes longer to develop to an elite level when you have to learn 2 very different racing disciplines. The top American prospects usually start splitting their training time between Supercross and MX when they get into their early to mid-teens, so their MX development gets stunted in my opinion.
I know Max is quicker , the OP asked if there was a chance he didn't qualify, and I quoted the only other rider who could give him a clue, I don't think for a second he wont make the cut , looking at the entry , I expect him to win or be close to, because all the big hitters went to EMX 250.
And if you had read my other posts , you would have read that I am excited to see him here, the same I was to see his dad, his uncle, Bob Moore, Bader Manneh, Trampas Parker, Jimmy Button, Gunner, and the late great Donnie Schmit.
There is a good chance Max could struggle with qualifying as the entire system is new to him and he will have to adjust fast to be competitive...I think he’ll be fine as he is a special talent but many Americans struggle with the system in the GP’s
This is pretty cool! TJ Rowen is Max's mechanic... he's a super nice kid that works his ass off, and like any mechanic, gets little recognition. Cheers to this dude!
I can't wait for this weekend, damn I hope Max does well... If it doesn't, it won't be from a lack of effort.
The EMX 125 class at MAtterley this weekend has:
* two 25 minute practice sessions
* two 25 minute qualifying sessions
* two 30 minute motos
This is great for the riders and their development. But there is no way you can include this in a 1-day format at the outdoors. Sure you can go for the current format of the 125 all stars (?), but what are these kids gonna learn from a couple of laps riding?
Sure i dont think Honda or Kawa has any benefit for a 125cc class, but as we have seen in MXGP its not that they block it.
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